Nike has forgiven Michael Vick for his past transgressions and decided to re-sign the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback to an endorsement deal. In a statement, Nike’s spokeswoman Megan Sallfeld said, “Michael Vick acknowledges his past mistakes. We do not condone those actions, but we support the positive changes he has made to better himself off the field.”
Although Vick continues to do an admirable job off the field to correct his wrong doings, some animal lovers are still upset. On a cnn.com message board, one reader wrote, “Vick is the lowest form of life … shame on Nike and the NFL for that matter. This monster is a vicious criminal and I don’t believe for a second that he has truly changed his ways,” wrote JT.
With vitriolic attacks still being aimed at Vick, is he still a marketable athlete? Nike could also face criticism from animal rights activists who might call for a Nike boycott.
But just like much of the hate that Vick received during his prison stint, a lot of it is tinged with racism.
“Once a thug, always a thug. They should put him in a cage with a gorilla and lock the door. Just like he did with the dogs,” reader Franko wrote on the same message board.
Some people will never forgive Vick for his ill-advised choice to run a dog fighting ring in Virginia. But Nike is taking a chance and hoping that the shoe buying public believes in Vick enough to purchase his shoes.–amir shaw
